Commentaries For 1 Timothy 2

Prayer to be made for all persons, since the grace of the gospel makes no difference of ranks or stations. (1-7) How men and women ought to behave, both in their religious and common life. (8-15)

Verses 1-7 The disciples of Christ must be praying people; all, without distinction of nation, sect, rank, or party. Our duty as Christians, is summed up in two words; godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, good conduct toward all men. These must go together: we are not truly honest, if we are not godly, and do not render to God his due; and we are not truly godly, if not honest. What is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, we should abound in. There is one Mediator, and that Mediator gave himself a ransom for all. And this appointment has been made for the benefit of the Jews and the Gentiles of every nation; that all who are willing may come in this way, to the mercy-seat of a pardoning God, to seek reconciliation with him. Sin had made a quarrel between us and God; Jesus Christ is the Mediator who makes peace. He is a ransom that was to be known in due time. In the Old Testament times, his sufferings, and the glory that should follow, were spoken of as things to be revealed in the last times. Those who are saved must come to the knowledge of the truth, for that is God's appointed way to save sinners: if we do not know the truth, we cannot be ruled by it.

Verses 8-15 Under the gospel, prayer is not to be confined to any one particular house of prayer, but men must pray every where. We must pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our meals, pray when we are on journeys, and pray in the solemn assemblies, whether more public or private. We must pray in charity; without wrath, or malice, or anger at any person. We must pray in faith, without doubting, and without disputing. Women who profess the Christian religion, must be modest in apparel, not affecting gaudiness, gaiety, or costliness. Good works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight of God, of great price. Modesty and neatness are more to be consulted in garments than elegance and fashion. And it would be well if the professors of serious godliness were wholly free from vanity in dress. They should spend more time and money in relieving the sick and distressed, than in decorating themselves and their children. To do this in a manner unsuitable to their rank in life, and their profession of godliness, is sinful. These are not trifles, but Divine commands. The best ornaments for professors of godliness, are good works. According to St. Paul, women are not allowed to be public teachers in the church; for teaching is an office of authority. But good women may and ought to teach their children at home the principles of true religion. Also, women must not think themselves excused from learning what is necessary to salvation, though they must not usurp authority. As woman was last in the creation, which is one reason for her subjection, so she was first in the transgression. But there is a word of comfort; that those who continue in sobriety, shall be saved in child-bearing, or with child-bearing, by the Messiah, who was born of a woman. And the especial sorrow to which the female sex is subject, should cause men to exercise their authority with much gentleness, tenderness, and affection.

1 Timothy 2:1-15 . PUBLIC WORSHIP. DIRECTION AS TO INTERCESSIONS FOR ALL MEN, SINCE CHRIST IS A RANSOM FOR ALL. THE DUTIES OF MEN AND WOMEN RESPECTIVELY IN RESPECT TO PUBLIC PRAYER. WOMAN'S SUBJECTION; HER SPHERE OF DUTY.

1. therefore--taking up again the general subject of the Epistle in continuation ( 2 Timothy 2:1 ). "What I have therefore to say to thee by way of a charge ( 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy 1:18 ), is," &c. that, first of all . . . be made--ALFORD takes it, "I exhort first of all to make." "First of all," doubtless, is to be connected with "I exhort"; what I begin with (for special reasons), is . . . As the destruction of Jerusalem drew near, the Jews (including those at Ephesus) were seized with the dream of freedom from every yoke; and so virtually "'blasphemed" (compare 1 Timothy 1:20 ) God's name by "speaking evil of dignities" ( 1 Timothy 6:1 , 2 Peter 2:10 , Jude 1:8 ). Hence Paul, in opposition, gives prominence to the injunction that prayer be made for all men, especially for magistrates and kings ( Titus 3:1-3 ) [OLSHAUSEN]. Some professing Christians looked down on all not Christians, as doomed to perdition; but Paul says all men are to be prayed for, as Christ died for all ( 1 Timothy 2:4-6 ). supplications--a term implying the suppliant's sense of need, and of his own insufficiency.prayers--implying devotion. intercessions--properly the coming near to God with childlike confidence, generally in behalf of another. The accumulation of terms implies prayer in its every form and aspect. according to all the relations implied in it.

2. For kings--an effectual confutation of the adversaries who accused the Christians of disaffection to the ruling powers ( Acts 17:7 , Romans 13:1-7 ). all . . . in authority--literally, "in eminence"; in stations of eminence. The "quiet" of Christians was often more dependent on subordinate rulers, than on the supreme king; hence, "all . . . in authority" are to be prayed for. that we may lead--that we may be blessed with such good government as to lead . . . ; or rather, as Greek, "to pass" or "spend." The prayers of Christians for the government bring down from heaven peace and order in a state. quiet--not troubled from without.peaceable--"tranquil"; not troubled from within [OLSHAUSEN]. "He is peaceable (Greek) who makes no disturbance; he is quiet (Greek) who is himself free from disturbance" [TITTMANN]. in all godliness--"in all (possible . . . requisite) piety" [ALFORD]. A distinct Greek word, 1 Timothy 2:10 , expresses "godliness." honesty--Greek, "gravity" ( Titus 2:2Titus 2:7 ), "decorum," or propriety of conduct. As "piety" is in relation to God, "gravity" is propriety of behavior among men. In the Old Testament the Jews were commanded to pray for their heathen rulers ( Ezra 6:10 , Jeremiah 29:7 ). The Jews, by Augustus' order, offered a lamb daily for the Roman emperor, till near the destruction of Jerusalem. The Jewish Zealots, instigated by Eleazar, caused this custom to cease [JOSEPHUS, Wars of the Jews, 2.17], whence the war originated, according to JOSEPHUS.

3. this--praying for all men. in the sight of God--not merely before men, as if it were their favor that we sought ( 2 Corinthians 8:21 ). our Saviour--a title appropriate to the matter in hand. He who is "our Saviour" is willing that all should be saved ( 1 Timothy 2:4 , Romans 5:18 ); therefore we should meet the will of God in behalf of others, by praying for the salvation of all men. More would be converted if we would pray more. He has actually saved us who believe, being "our Saviour." He is willing that all should be saved, even those who do not as yet believe, if they will believe (compare 1 Timothy 4:10 , Titus 2:11 ).

4. "Imitate God." Since He wishes that all should be saved, do you also wish it; and if you wish it, pray for it. For prayer is the instrument of effecting such things [CHRYSOSTOM]. Paul does not say, "He wishes to save all"; for then he would have saved all in matter of fact; but "will have all men to be saved," implies the possibility of man's accepting it (through God's prevenient grace) or rejecting it (through man's own perversity). Our prayers ought to include all, as God's grace included all.to come--They are not forced. unto the knowledge--Greek, "the full knowledge" or "recognition" Philippians 1:9 ). the truth--the saving truth as it is in, and by, Jesus ( John 17:3John 17:17 ).

5. For there is one God--God's unity in essence and purpose is a proof of His comprehending all His human children alike (created in His image) in His offer of grace (compare the same argument from His unity, Romans 3:30 , Galatians 3:20 ); therefore all are to be prayed for. 1 Timothy 2:4 is proved from 1 Timothy 2:5 ; 1 Timothy 2:1 , from 1 Timothy 2:4 . The one God is common to all ( Isaiah 45:22 , Acts 17:26 ). The one Mediator is mediator between God and all men potentially ( Romans 3:29 , Ephesians 4:5Ephesians 4:6 , Hebrews 8:6 , 9:15 , 12:24 ). They who have not this one God by one Mediator, have none: literally, a "go-between." The Greek order is not "and one mediator," but "one mediator also between . . . While God will have all men to be saved by knowing God and the Mediator, there is a legitimate, holy order in the exercise of that will wherewith men ought to receive it. All mankind constitute, as it were, ONE MAN before God [BENGEL]. the man--rather "man," absolutely and genetically: not a mere individual man: the Second Head of humanity, representing and embodying in Himself the whole human race and nature. There is no "the" in the Greek. This epithet is thus the strongest corroboration of his argument, namely, that Christ's mediation affects the whole race, since there is but the one Mediator, designed as the Representative Man for all men alike (compare Romans 5:15 , 1 Corinthians 8:6 , 2 Corinthians 5:19 , Colossians 2:14 ). His being "man" was necessary to His being a Mediator, sympathizing with us through experimental knowledge of our nature ( Isaiah 50:4 , Hebrews 2:14 , 4:15 ). Even in nature, almost all blessings are conveyed to us from God, not immediately, but through the mediation of various agents. The effectual intercession of Moses for Israel ( Numbers 14:13-19 , and Deuteronomy 9:1-29 ); of Abraham for Abimelech ( Genesis 20:7 ); of Job for his friends ( Job 42:10 ), the mediation being PRESCRIBED by God while declaring His purposes of forgiveness: all prefigure the grand mediation for all by the one Mediator. On the other hand, 1 Timothy 3:16 asserts that He was also God.

6. gave himself--( Titus 2:14 ). Not only the Father gave Him for us ( John 3:16 ); but the Son gave Himself ( Philippians 2:5-8 ). ransom--properly of a captive slave. Man was the captive slave of Satan, sold under sin. He was unable to ransom himself, because absolute obedience is due to God, and therefore no act of ours can satisfy for the least offense. Leviticus 25:48 allowed one sold captive to be redeemed by one of his brethren. The Son of God, therefore, became man in order that, being made like unto us in all things, sin only excepted, as our elder brother He should redeem us ( Matthew 20:28 , Ephesians 1:7 , 1 Peter 1:181 Peter 1:19 ). The Greek implies not merely ransom, but a substituted or equivalent ransom: the Greek preposition, "anti," implying reciprocity and vicarious substitution. for all--Greek, "in behalf of all": not merely for a privileged few; compare 1 Timothy 2:1 :the argument for praying in behalf of all is given here. to be testified--Greek, "the testimony (that which was to be testified of, 1 John 5:8-11 ) in its own due times," or seasons, that is, in the times appointed by God for its being testified of ( 1 Timothy 6:15 , Titus 1:3 ). The oneness of the Mediator, involving the universality of redemption (which faith, however, alone appropriates), was the great subject of Christian testimony [ALFORD] ( 1 Corinthians 1:6 , 2:1 , 2 Thessalonians 1:10 ).

7. Whereunto--For the giving of which testimony. I am ordained--literally, "I was set": the same Greek, as "putting me," &c. ( 1 Timothy 1:12 ). preacher--literally, "herald" ( 1 Corinthians 1:21 , 9:27 , 15:11 , 2 Timothy 1:11 , Titus 1:3 ). He recurs to himself, as in 1 Timothy 1:16 , in himself a living pattern or announcement of the Gospel, so here "a herald and teacher of (it to) the Gentiles" ( Galatians 2:9Ephesians 3:1-12Colossians 1:23 ). The universality of his commission is an appropriate assertion here, where he is arguing to prove that prayers are to be made "for all men" ( 1 Timothy 2:1 ). I speak the truth . . . and lie not--a strong asseveration of his universal commission, characteristic of the ardor of the apostle, exposed to frequent conflict ( Romans 11:1 , 2 Corinthians 11:13 ). in faith and verity--rather, "in the faith and the truth." The sphere in which his ministry was appointed to be exercised was the faith and the truth ( 1 Timothy 2:4 ): the Gospel truth, the subject matter of the faith [WIESINGER].

9, 10. The context requires that we understand these directions as to women, in relation to their deportment in public worship, though the rules will hold good on other occasions also.in modest apparel--"in seemly guise" [ELLICOTT]. The adjective means properly. orderly, decorous, becoming; the noun in secular writings means conduct, bearing. But here "apparel." Women are apt to love fine dress; and at Ephesus the riches of some ( 1 Timothy 6:17 ) would lead them to dress luxuriously. The Greek in Titus 2:3 is a more general term meaning "deportment." shamefacedness--TRENCH spells this word according to its true derivation, "shamefastness" (that which is made fast by an honorable shame); as "steadfastness" (compare 1 Timothy 2:111 Timothy 2:12 ). sobriety--"self-restraint" [ALFORD]. Habitual inner self-government [TRENCH]. I prefer ELLICOTT'S translation, "sober-mindedness": the well-balanced state of mind arising from habitual self-restraint. with--Greek, "in." braided hair--literally, "plaits," that is, plaited hair: probably with the "gold and pearls" intertwined ( 1 Peter 3:3 ). Such gaud is characteristic of the spiritual harlot ( Revelation 17:4 ).

10. professing--Greek, "promising": engaging to follow. with good works--The Greek preposition is not the same as in 1 Timothy 2:9 ; "by means of," or "through good works." Their adorning is to be effected by means of good works: not that they are to be clothed in, or with, them ( Ephesians 2:10 ). Works, not words in public, is their province ( 1 Timothy 2:81 Timothy 2:111 Timothy 2:12 , 1 Peter 3:1 ). Works are often mentioned in the Pastoral Epistles in order to oppose the loose living, combined with the loose doctrine, of the false teachers. The discharge of everyday duties is honored with the designation, "good works."

14. Adam was not deceived--as Eve was deceived by the serpent; but was persuaded by his wife. Genesis 3:17 , "hearkened unto . . . voice of . . . wife." But in Genesis 3:13 , Eve says, "The serpent beguiled me." Being more easily deceived, she more easily deceives [BENGEL], ( 2 Corinthians 11:3 ). Last in being, she was first in sin--indeed, she alone was deceived. The subtle serpent knew that she was "the weaker vessel" ( 1 Peter 3:7 ). He therefore tempted her, not Adam. She yielded to the temptations of sense and the deceits of Satan; he, to conjugal love. Hence, in the order of God's judicial sentence, the serpent, the prime offender, stands first; the woman, who was deceived, next; and the man, persuaded by his wife, last ( Genesis 3:14-19 ). In Romans 5:12 , Adam is represented as the first transgressor; but there no reference is made to Eve, and Adam is regarded as the head of the sinning race. Hence, as here, 1 Timothy 2:11 , in Genesis 3:16 , woman's "subjection" is represented as the consequence of her being deceived. being deceived--The oldest manuscripts read the compound Greek verb for the simple, "Having been seduced by deceit": implying how completely Satan succeeded in deceiving her. was in the transgression--Greek, "came to be in the transgression": became involved in the existing state of transgression, literally, "the going beyond a command"; breach of a positive precept ( Romans 4:15 ).

15. be saved in childbearing--Greek, "in (literally, 'through') (her, literally, 'the') child-bearing." Through, or by, is often so used to express not the means of her salvation, but the circumstances AMIDST which it has place. Thus 1 Corinthians 3:15 , "He . . . shall be saved: yet so as by (literally, 'through,' that is, amidst) fire": in spite of the fiery ordeal which he has necessarily to pass through, he shall be saved. So here, "In spite of the trial of childbearing which she passes through (as her portion of the curse, Genesis 3:16 , 'in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children'), she shall be saved." Moreover, I think it is implied indirectly that the very curse will be turned into a condition favorable to her salvation, by her faithfully performing her part in doing and suffering what God has assigned to her, namely, child-bearing and home duties, her sphere, as distinguished from public teaching, which is not hers, but man's ( 1 Timothy 2:111 Timothy 2:12 ). In this home sphere, not ordinarily in one of active duty for advancing the kingdom of God, which contradicts the position assigned to her by God, she will be saved on the same terms as all others, namely, by living faith. Some think that there is a reference to the Incarnation "through THE child-bearing" (Greek), the bearing of the child Jesus. Doubtless this is the ground of women's child-bearing in general becoming to them a blessing, instead of a curse; just as in the original prophecy ( Genesis 3:15Genesis 3:16 ) the promise of "the Seed of the woman" (the Saviour) stands in closest connection with the woman's being doomed to "sorrow" in "bringing forth children," her very child-bearing, though in sorrow, being the function assigned to her by God whereby the Saviour was born. This may be an ulterior reference of the Holy Spirit in this verse; but the primary reference required by the context is the one above given. "She shall be saved ([though] with childbearing)," that is, though suffering her part of the primeval curse in childbearing; just as a man shall be saved, though having to bear his part, namely, the sweat of the brow. if they, &c.--"if the women (plural, taken out of 'the woman,' 1 Timothy 2:14 , which is put for the whole sex) continue," or more literally, "shall (be found at the judgment to) have continued." faith and charity--the essential way to salvation ( 1 Timothy 1:5 ). Faith is in relation to God. Charity, to our fellow man. Sobriety, to one's self. sobriety--"sober-mindedness" with the unseemly forwardness reproved in 1 Timothy 2:11 ). Mental receptivity and activity in family life were recognized in Christianity as the destiny of woman. One reason alleged here by Paul, is the greater danger of self-deception in the weaker sex, and the spread of errors arising from it, especially in a class of addresses in which sober reflectiveness is least in exercise [NEANDER]. The case ( Acts 21:9 ) was doubtless in private, not in public.